Low down dealin'' in Memphis a card game in a back room
I was lookin'' at my last dollar hopin'' lady luck would come by soon
They raised the betting limit the cards were flying fast
I bet away my future I''d already lost my past

I can''t go back to Memphis
I can''t go back to Memphis - I played out every game
Can''t go back to Memphis
Can''t go back to Memphis - Everybody knows my name
Too many people wanna even out the score
And I can''t go back to Memphis no more

I hung out on the east side I heard my reputation was in doubt
It was starting to look like a bad ride
It looked like time for gettin'' out
I sent the man a message said I was gonna split
He sent a message back that said I don''t let nobody quit

I can''t go back to Memphis
I can''t go back to Memphis - I played out every game
Can''t go back to Memphis
Can''t go back to Memphis - Everybody knows my name
Too many people wanna even out the score
And I can''t go back to Memphis no more

I tried my best to beat the system but the system put me back in my place
They maintained a delicate balance where no one got in nobody''s face
I tried to make a dollar just surviving in the streets
I fought the gangs, I fought the law but they both had me beat

I can''t go back to Memphis
I can''t go back to Memphis - I played out every game
I can''t go back to Memphis
Can''t go back to Memphis - Everybody knows my name
Too many people wanna even out the score
And I can''t go back to Memphis no more